Welcome to the Seroxat User Group Website

The Seroxat User Group was set up by UK patients using the GlaxoSmithKline medication, Seroxat, to provide support and advice to users of the medication, and to their families and friends.

We are a self-funding, non profit making group.

This web site contains information about the aims of the group, as well as research and articles on the effects of Seroxat.

 What is Seroxat?

Seroxat is a second generation SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-Uptake Inhibitor). SSRI's work by inhibiting serotonin re-uptake transporters thereby increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a chemical which affects the mood. By boosting that chemical the patient should feel better.

Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, Seroxat was first licensed   in the UK on 11th December 1990 and was re-licensed on the 9th January 1998.

Seroxat's original licence was to treat episodes of mild to moderate depression. It is now licensed for the short term treatment of symptoms of depressive illness of types including:

• Depression accompanied by anxiety.
• Treatment of symptoms and prevention of relapse of obsessive compulsive disorder.
• Treatment of symptoms and prevention of relapse of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
  

It is said to be useful for people who find social situations bring on these symptoms. However many patients using Seroxat have found that:

  1. During treatment Seroxat can cause psychiatric problems that previously were not there and in some cases this had led to violent behaviour towards others and suicide.

  2. The drug causes dependency (despite claims to the contrary) the withdrawal from which has caused the occurrence of new symptoms and an exacerbation of previous symptoms.

Seroxat was said by Smith Kline Beecham to be non-addictive (see patient information sheet). However patients world wide have described serious and long term side effects that make it very difficult to come off the drug after using it for as little as two days. Other complaints include the development of aggressive tendencies.


The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHA) have compiled a Questions and Answers Document on Seroxat.